If I claimed to be an "Equalist", then wouldn't "discretion" be a problem?

Question

Last night while I was chatting, I was thinking about my earlier claims to be an "Equalist". I took a neutral step back to kinda..fortify my thoughts as an equalist but I'm starting to doubt it a lot. Yes...To be an equalist sounds good in theory but then I started to think back to my death penalty class. As unrelated to the subject as it seems, we discussed the concept of "Discretion" and "Discrimination". Sticking with "Discretion" I started to wonder if equalist would take away our discretion towards people. And as we know, not all discretion is bad. In fact, discretion is what can make or break us in different situations--such as getting a speeding ticket..if I decided to be an equalist, I would believe everyone, no matter what, deserves a speeding ticket without any explanation. So I think I'll back away from the equalist label and take on every other label...Feminist, MRA, etc..I support all positive thinking groups who aim for equality except "Equalist". Help me out :).

Answer 1

It depends if you are the sort of person who follows an ideal to the letter.

I live my life on a priciple of equality, but reality does not always perfectly fit into that ideal.

We will never be completely equal, but if we strive for equality and make decisions in our own lives with equality in mind, we will live in a better world.

There is no such utopia as an equal world. And never will be. (No matter how much we bang our heels in the ruby slippers). But that doesn't mean we should stop trying.

Edit: No you wouldn't have to say yes to everyone. Now you are thinking like a feminist, not an equalist. Equal does not mean that we are all given things for free. It means that we are viewed by the world for what we have to offer in terms of skills and experience -not because of our colour, religion, s*x etc. It removes bias and judgment and allows all of us to compete on an equal playing field. Anyone who says differently does not actually believe in equality.

Answer 2

What we need is for everyone to change the way they think about things and have a paradigm shift. We do need things to be equal on all levels, not just people. As for your thinking about being an "equalist" and giving everyone a speeding ticket, well your right, if they're speeding then they need one if not then they don't that is equal.        

BTW) Marijuana as a plant has many useful qualities!

To answer your qustion about hiring 100 workers: you would hire the two most qualified, that would be equal!

Answer 3

I'd be happy to help you out, if you'd explained exactly what you're talking about.

Speeding tickets? Whyshould everyone get a speeding ticket?

What do you mean by 'discretion'?

Anyway, don't be an equalist; be a feminist.

I don't know what MRA is.

If you actually want our help, you need to let us know what you're asking, and what you're thinking -- which you really didn't do here.

Answer 4

being an equalist isn't about believing everyone etc. It's just having laws that are equal. having disabled people treated equally doesn't mean we should make them walk or make everyone use a wheelchair. It's just the basic issues that people have like when it comes to obtaining a job, the acceptance of violence people should have equal rights.

I feel sorry for the person/s that have thumbed me down. If you believe there shouldn't be equality, that racosm, sexism and ageism exist then you shouldn't be a part of our society.

EDIT: No, but you would be judging them via their skills and qualifications. Not saying no to someone just because they were a certain colour or s*x.

Answer 5

The word is egalitarian, and your example of the speeding ticket is a very poor one. It seems you are getting equal opportunity confused with equal outcome. An egalitarian believes that everyone deserves an equal opportunity (in most cases, see below for further explanation) regardless of things they cannot control like race, gender, etc... Your example about if you owned a business and 100 people applied for 2 position would work like this if you're an egalitarian: you look at everyone's resumes and do not take into account attributes the prospective employees cannot handle that are irrelevant to the job, and you then hire 2 based upon their qualifications. Everyone was given an equal opportunity. The outcome was not equal, but equal outcome is not egalitarianism.

As for discretion, of course you need to take into account common sense. I always hear the one about being hired as a server at Hooters. Men are being discriminated against because of their gender, something they cannot control, but this is something that is obviously not irrelevant to the job, as the whole basis for the job is female sexuality. The problem stems from discrimination occurring where the factors being discriminated upon are irrelevant to the job, or any other facet of life. It would be ridiculous to say "I'm an egalitarian in cases where discrimination based upon things people cannot control are irrelevant, but there are of course exceptions like in the case of Hooters waitresses." That sort of distinction  should be implied to anyone with half of a brain.

Answer 6

I agree with you.   Your speeding ticket example is very good -  two people are stopped -  one because they had an unconscious child in the car and were trying to get to the hospital and the other on the way to dinner.    Discretion would allow you to ticket the second but not the first.     I think we would agree on that outcome.

Answer 7

We are all equal - some more than others.  It is a bit of a fallacy and believe system to say we are equal.  Even my twin sisters are to poles, miles apart.  We should all be treated humanely and with love.  Your small business is a health clinic.

Among, all the 100 people outside there are no doctors. Plumber?  Drug addict?  Hobo?  Writer?  You just said you will employ all 100. So you can not treat everybody the same, as all people are different and can not be treated as the next.

Next step.  Age, race, religion, s*x (or no s*x), handicapped.  If you are 7 feet tall, handicapped?  Or 5 feet 2 inches? Another handicap?  Try to fit in a plain, bus, car ,taxi, building - when you're 7 foot tall.  Rethink!

Answer 8

I understand the term equalist to mean that you believe everyone has the same legal rights.

Discrimination would refer to negative views towards someone based on stereotypes such as race, gender, age, ethnicity etc.

So it would be wrong to not hire someone based on race, or to not issue a ticket because it was a woman and she was hot and flirting with the officer...

It would not be wrong to hire someone because they had more experience or education, or to not issue a ticket because the person had a reasonable excuse, such as a pregnant woman going into labour and they need to get to the hospital...

Essentially, you have to ask yourself, if you were to try and explain your actions (without lying), would your actions sound prejudiced, or logical.

Answer 9

That's not necessarily true. In my opinion, believing in equality across the board doesn't mean ignoring seriously exceptional circumstances. You would still hold them to the same standards if none of these circumstances came up.

Answer 10

As an equalist I can tell you that equalism is a journey, an ideal to strive for, not an easy ready-made destination.

Equalism's strong point is that, unlike feminism and masculism, it is neither s*x-based nor s*x-biased. Equalism regards all men and women as PEOPLE regardless of their gender or colour of their skin.

EDIT: Tehabwa, you say you don't know what MRA means. It is men's rights activist or masculist. Hope this helps.

Answer 11

Personally I prefer egalitarian anyway.  Equal protection under law includes discretion as it is part of the system of law.

Answer 12

Being an equalist doesnt necessitate social apathy and complete tolerance to everything.  Is tolerating intolerance an ethical stance?  Being an equalist doesnt mean that you fail to recognize differences and distinctions... people should still be judged and treated for who they are and their choices